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An interstellar probe is a space probe that has left—or is expected to leave—the Solar System and enter interstellar space, which is typically defined as the region beyond the heliopause. It also refers to probes capable of reaching other star systems. There are five interstellar probes: Voyager 1, Voyager 2, Pioneer 10, Pioneer 11 and New Horizons. As of 2015, Voyager 1 is the only probe to have actually reached interstellar space. The other four are on interstellar trajectories. The termination shock is the point in the heliosphere where the solar wind slows down to subsonic speed. Even though the termination shock happens as close as 80–100 AU, the maximum extent of the region in which the Sun's gravitational field is dominant (the Hill sphere) is thought to be at around . This point is close to the nearest known star system, Alpha Centauri, located 4.36 light years away. Although the probes will be under the influence of the Sun for a long time, their velocities far exceed Sun's escape velocity, so they will eventually leave forever. Interstellar space is thought to lie beyond a magnetic region that begins at about 122 AU, as detected by ''Voyager 1''. The probe entered interstellar space in 2013.〔(NASA Voyager 1 Encounters New Region in Deep Space )〕 ''Interstellar Probe'' is also the name of a proposed NASA space probe intended to travel out 200 AU in 15 years, studied in 1999.〔 ==Overview== Planetary scientist G. Laughlin noted that with current technology a probe sent to Alpha Centauri would take 40,000 years to arrive, but expressed hope for new technology to be developed to make the trip within a human lifetime. On that timescale the stars move notable. As an example, in 40,000 years Ross 248 will be closer to Earth than Alpha Centauri. One technology that has been proposed to achieve higher speeds is an E-sail.〔()〕 By harnessing solar wind, it might be possible achieve 20-30 AU per year without even using propellant.〔()〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「interstellar probe」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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